Another sad day for the Worcestershire Cricket Family as the news broke of the passing of the very popular Redditch Cricket Club scorer Gary Fisher who closed the book for the final time early on Saturday morning after a courageous fight against cancer. Gary was a selfless servant to his beloved club over many years and will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Week 5 of the season saw the most matches played cross the league expanse so far this season, with only the South region suffering a little as rain arrived in the mid to late afternoon period forcing the abandonment of a small percentage of matches in the Herefordshire and South Worcestershire areas.

In the Premier Division all matches reached conclusion as the sun shone for the most part, and as usual there were one or two results that caught the eye.

In the big match of the weekend, leaders Stourport-on-Severn 1^st XI delivered an excellent all-round team bowling performance in the first innings that went along way to help secure a comfortable seven wicket win against fellow title contenders Pershore 1^st XI at Walshes Farm Meadows. Stourbridge 1^st XI moved in to second after comprehensively beating visitors Bromyard 1^st XI at the War Memorial Ground despite the best efforts of Ian Bullock (125*) who carried his bat in the first innings with little support. Astwood Bank 1^st XI fell off the early season pace after losing to Lye 1^st XI for whom Ghullam Abbas (113) and Waqas Ahmed (1) were the main protagonists for the home team.

Elsewhere in the division, newly promoted Pedmore 1^st XI grabbed their second win of the season against Redditch 1^st XI at Bromsgrove Road to go fifth which cements a sound start. Bromsgrove 1^st XIs powerful batting line up led by Captain Jayden Levitt (125) announced themselves in a two hundred and seven run win against a Worcester Nomads 1^st XI who have started the season on the back foot due to the early season weather and poor form and Old Elizabethans 1^st XI beat Brockhampton 1^st XI at the Parks to move back into mid division.

In Division One,at the top of the table Ombersley 2^nd XI maintained pole position with a big win against basement side Coombs Wood 1^st XI. Just one point further back sit Barnt Green 2^nd XI who made the long trip to Brick House Farm well worthwhile as they walked away with a win in a rain affected game against Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 1^st XI and Hagley 1^st XI continued their excellent early season form by beating visiting Bartestree & Lugwardine 1^st XI by a wide margin at Hagley Hall to maintain third position, five points clear of Worcester 1^st XI who moved in to fourth position by beating Halesowen 2^nd XI by six wickets at Seth Somers Park after an excellent first innings bowling performance restricted the home side to a total that they ultimately could not defend.

In other matches in the division, Droitwich Spa 1^st XI beat Bewdley 1^st XI who failed to chase what at the hallway stage would have seemed a gettable total and Chaddesley Corbett 1^st XI beat Himley 2^nd XI by three wickets to make it two wins from two after a slow start to the season.

In Division Two, Pete Hawk (102) led newly promoted Belbroughton 1^st XI to a fwin against second placed Barnards Green 2^nd XI at North End Lane which allowed leaders Netherton 1^st XI (who are one of only two teams remaining across the divisions to have registered five wins from the first five matches) to open up a twenty nine point gap at the top as they eased their way to a comfortable seven wicket win against Alvechurch & Hopwood 1^st XI and Kidderminster 2^nd XI to close the gap to just four points in second after they earned a hard fought three wicket win against Bredon 1^st XI at Chester Road.

In other matches Connor Adams (89*) second innings exploits helped Astwood Bank 2^nd XI chase down Bromsgrove 2^nd XIs first innings total at Sambourne Lane. Tom Blunt (71*) led Oldswinford 1^st XI to their second win in as many weeks after his second innings contribution helped secure a seven wicket win against Enville 2^nd XI and finally the match between Colwall 1^st XI and Cookley 1^st XI was abandoned halfway through the first innings due to the rain that hit the south region on Saturday afternoon.

In Division Three, Netherton 2^nd XI all-rounderNoman Waqar (154 & 4-43) enjoyed his afternoon in the sun as his scintillating all round performance proved too hot for Feckenham 1^st X to handle at Highbridge Road. Martley 1^st XI kept up with the pace by beating Brockhampton 2^nd XI in a low scoring match at the Jewry Field that contained five wicket hauls for the visitors Alexander Poe (5-11) for the visitors and Oliver Dinks (5-24) for Martley and Harborne 3^rd XI remain in third position after Greg Eater (97) fell just three short of a first innings century in their home victory against Redditch 2^nd XI.

Elsewhere in the division, Jason Lynch (88) laid the foundations for Avoncroft 1^st XI after his first innings contribution helped them post what proved to be too many for visiting Himbleton 1^st XI to chase. Chris Pearman (87*) carried his bat for Old Elizabethans 2^nd XI who were able to restrict visiting Stourport-on-Severn 2^nd XI enough in the second innings to seal a tight thirteen run win at the Memorial Ground and Lye 1^st XI compiled too many for Rushwick 2^nd XI to chase in the second innings despite the best efforts of Jack Yendall (81) for the home team.

The battle for supremacy in Division Four looks tighter than ever with the top six teams separated by less than a win.

Hagley 2^nd XI maintained their position at the top even though they were beaten at White Gates Farm by third placed Worcester Nomads 2^nd XI for whom Ben Green (5-38) returned excellent second innings figures to help his team defend a total that the visitors would have fancied at the halfway stage. Droitwich Spa 2^nd XI took full advantage of the leaders slip up by beating Five Ways Old Edwardians 1^st XI by a six wicket margin at St. Peters Field, a win that closed the gap to just three points. Four points further back are Claverley 1^st XI who bowled Old Hill 2^nd XI out cheaply in the second innings to secure a win by sixty six runs.

In other matches, Josh Jones (131) struck a first innings century and Ed Owen (5-31) returned a second innings 5-fer in Worcester 2^nd XIs comprehensive win against Old Virginians. Romsley & Hunnington 1^st XI beat West Malvern 1^st XI by six wickets and Harborne 4^th XI beat Stourbridge 2^nd XI by nine wickets.

In Division Five Balkeet Singh (83) helped Pershore 2^nd XI chase down Bewdley 2^nd XIs challenging first innings total which allowed them to leap frog their opponents in to third place, ten points behind second placed Malvern 1^st XI who beat Pedmore 2^nd XI and fifteen points behind leaders Tenbury Wells 1^st XI who made light work of Eastnor 1^st XI to stay top.

In other matches in the division, Stefan Jagielski (103) helped Astwood Bank 3rd XI set a total that proved to be just out of Stourbridge 3^rd XIs reach, whilst two teams to record their first wins of the season were Barnt Green 2^nd XI who beat Hanley Castle & Upton 1^st XI at the Douglas Ground and Coombs Wood 2^nd XI who beat Bromyard 2^nd XI at Stewarts Road.

Last weeks leaders Himley3rd XIs match at Cutnall Green was cancelled due to a waterlogged outfield which gave other teams the chance to close the gap at the top of Division Six.

Aaron Dickens (140*) ensured Kidderminster 3^rd XI didn’t miss the opportunity as his second undefeated century led them to a five wicket win against Alveley 1^st XI at Chester Road, a win that helped them leap frog the unfortunate Himley 3^rd XI and go top by two points. Halesowen 3^rd XI moved level on points with Himley after beating Claverley 2^nd XI by seven wickets at Earls High School. Whilst in other matches, James Beswick (113*) led Colwall 2^nd XI to victory against Old Vigornians 2^nd XI at the Cinderella Ground despite the best efforts of Jonathan Moffatt (127) in the first innings for the home team. Harvington 1^st XI beat Bromsgrove 3^rd XI by six wickets to move into mid division and Belbroughton 2^nd XI beat Chaddesley Corbett 2^nd XI.

In Division Seven North and South all matches reached a conclusion for the first time this season.

In the North Group, Old Elizabethans 3^rd XI (alongside Netherton 1^st XI in Division Two) remain the only other team across the divisions to boast a five out of five record. The City of Worcester based outfits fifth win came against Alvechurch & Hopwood 2^nd XI by over one hundred runs largely thanks to a quality all round performance from Abdul Haq Armani (98* & 4-34). Cookhill 1^st XI are fifteen points adrift in second after securing their fourth win of a successful campaign so far against Oldswinford 2^nd XI who were bundled out cheaply in the second innings thanks to the impressive Andrew Leigh (6-16). The top tow now have a gap larger than a win to third placed Halesowen 4^th XI who beat Feckenham 2^nd XI by eight wickets. Harborne 5^th XI dropped off the pace and are now fourth after Losing to Ombersley 3^rd XI at  Richmond Road and in other matches Enville 2^nd XI beat Romsley & Hunnington 2^nd XI thanks to a fine first innings effort from Robert Miller (86 rno) who was forced to retire through injury fourteen short of a first innings century and Stone 1^st XI made light work of Himley 4^th XI as Chris Harler (91) helped them post a score which proved far too many on the day for their opponents.

In the South Group, things are a little tighter at the summit as the top half of the table are separated by just seventeen points. Barnards Green 3^rd XI are now top after securing their third win of the season, this time against Ledbury 1^st XI who have now slipped to third place after losing the last two matches after being top at one satge. Rushwick 2^nd XI made it three out of three by beating Birlingham 1^st XI, a win that helped them leap-frog Ledbury in to second place. Pershore 3^rd XI are now fourth after they beat Martley 2^nd XI by nine wickets whilst the highly fancied Worcester Amigos 1^st XI now find themselves fifth after suffering their first defeat of the season against Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI, whilst in the other match played in the group Clive Chadhani (131*) posted an unbeaten first innings century for Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2^nd XI in their win against local rivals Bartestree & Lugwardine 2^nd XI who have started indifferently.

In Regional Division Eight, in the North Group Lye 3^rd XI and Netherton 3^rd XI continue to lead the division after securing wins against Old Hill 3^rd XI and Enville 3^rd XI respectively. Harborne 6^th XI are in third place following a comfortable ten wicket victory against Halesowen 5^th XI. Coombs Wood 3^rd XI are next after beating Stourbridge 4^th XI in a low scoring contest in which Arryon Hart took (6-14) in the first innings for the losing side, whilst in the other match in the group Oldswinford 3^rd XI pulled themselves out of the bottom two with a win against Pedmore 3^rd XI.

In the East Group, Droitwich 3^rd XI top the pile and remain the only side in the group to maintain a 100% win record after beating Five Ways Old Edwardians 2^nd XI by a nine wicket margin at the Masshouse. Andy Alexander (101*) conpiled a second innings undefeated century to lead Astwood Bank 4^th XI to a ten wicket victory against Bredon 2^nd XI. Inkberrow 1^st XI beat Redditch 3^rd XI by two wickets in a match that saw Alistair Eaton (5-44) pick up five first innings wickets for the winners. Himbleton 2^nd XI posted a big first innings total that proved too many for visiting Pershore 4^th XI to chase at Harrow Lane and finally Chris Pitt (5-29) helped Avoncroft 2^nd XI secure their first win of the season, an eight wicket win against Harvington 2^nd XI who find themselves at the foot of the table after three matches.

in the South Group The matches between, Eastnor 2^nd XI and Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI, West Malvern 2^nd XI and Hallow Taverners 1^st XI and Worcester Nomads 3^rd XI and Colwall 3^rd XI were all abandoned at different stage in the afternoon due to the rain that appeared in the South region. In the two matches that did reach conclusion Malvern 2^nd XI beat Old Elizabethans 4^th XI and moved in to second place and Robin Holgate (81*) helped Brockhampton 3^rd XI secure their first win of the season against Bosbury 1^st XI.

Three teams sit on forty five points at the top of the West Group. Hagley 3^rd XI who beat Bewdley 3^rd XI in a low scoring match, Droitwich Spa 3^rd XI, for whom Obaidullah Sherzad (4-13) and Archie Fenn (4-21) shared eight first innings wickets beat Old Halesonians 1^st XI by a nine wicket margin and Stourport-on-Severn 3^rd XI who beat last weeks table toppers Alveley 2^nd XI by eight wickets, whilst in other matches in the division Cookley 2^nd XI beat Kidderminster 4^th XI by seven wickets to secure their first win of the season and the match between Highley 1^st XI and Tenbury Wells 2^nd XI was cancelled due to a waterlogged outfield.

In Regional Division Nine four teams are equal on forty five points in the North Groupafter the first three matches.

Avoncroft 3^rd XI who had previously won the first two matches had to cancel their match against Belbroughton 3^rd XI at Client because of a waterlogged outfield, this allowed Redditch 4^th XI who beat Pedmore 4^th XI by six wickets, Hagley 4^th XI who received a win by concession against Feckenham 3^rd XI who could not raise a team and Himley 5^th XI who beat Cookhill 2^nd XI by a tight nine run margin to join them at the summit thirteen points clear of Oldswinford 4^th XI who beat sit in mid division after beating Five Ways Old Edwardians 3^rd XI.

In the South Group second placed Rushwick 3^rd XI reduced Hanley Castle & Upton 2^nd XIs lead at the top to just two points after beating them by twenty two runs in a low scoring match at the Glebe. James Batsford (98*) ensured Stone 2^nd XI chased down Brockhampton 4^th XIs first innings total to lead them to a win that moves them in to third place, six points off the top whilst in the other match played in the group Bromyard 3^rd XI beat Droitwich Spa 5^th XI to collect their first win of the season. 

In the former Marches League divisions nine of the twelve planned matches reached conclusion..

In Division One leaders Wormelow 1^st XI beat Luctonians 1^st XI in a rain reduced match, Kington 1^st XI picked up their first victory of the season against Dales 1^st XI to go in to second place one point ahead of Goodrich 1^st XI who beat Woolhope 1^st XI by six wickets in a rain reduced game, whilst the contest between Ross-on-Wye 1^st XI and Builth Wells 1^st XI was abandoned due to a waterlogged outfield.

In Division Two, there were wins for Woolhope 2^nd XI who beat Presteigne 1^st XI, a result that took them to the top of the table as last week leaders Almeley 1^st XIs match against Canon Frome 2^nd XI was abandoned before a result could be determined, Builth Wells 2^nd XI for whom Lindelhie Yeki (4-19 & 89) enjoyed his day out to move the Welsh based club in to third place and Hay-on-Wye 1^st XI for whom Gareth Grant (117*) compiled an excellent undefeated first innings century in a big win against Moccas 1^st XI.

In Division Three, Dales 2^nd XI sit at the summit after beating Luctonians 2^nd XI in a match reduced by rain. Goodrich 2^nd XI lie second following a comprehensive win against Fownhope Strollers 2^nd XI in which Ayrton Lowther (168) scored an excellent first innings century. Bartestree & Lugwardine 3^rd XI are in third place just eight points off the summit after beating Ross-on-Wye 2^nd XI in a match played on Sunday 19^th and finally the match between Kington 2^nd XI and Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 3^rd XI was abandoned and the points shared despite the best efforts of Charles Chakkunny (85*) who was left undefeated when the rain came to curtail the second inning after 18.2 overs with the visitors requiring just fifty seven more with eight wickets in hand for victory. 

Stuart Lampitt